California Stories eNews

A periodic update about the activities of California Stories, the California Council for the Humanities' multiyear initiative designed to strengthen California communities. To find out more about California Stories and how you can support this important work, visit us at www.californiastories.org

Are you a K-12 teacher planning to cover the history of California immigration in your classroom? If so, check out WeAreCA.org, the Council's website that puts that history at your fingertips. To learn exciting ways to use the website, attend a workshop near you. The workshops, sponsored by the California History-Social Science Project and led by expert teachers, take place this coming July in Riverside and San Diego. Find out more and register.

For the latest on Council news and events, visit our Facebook page. And tell your Facebook friends about us, so they can become fans, too. Not on Facebook yet? Sign up and become a fan of the Council.

Film screenings and radio broadcasts:

L.A. Film Festival to screen YDF films
On Sunday, June 28, the Los Angeles Film Festival will screen "From Street to Streams," a series of three films developed by participants in the Council's Youth Digital Filmmakers program. The films offer three unique takes on life in California, from Oakland's Cambodian-American community to the interaction between native and non-native youth in rural Siskiyou County to hard life choices in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point. 10 am-1 pm, Italian Cultural Center, 1023 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles. Admission is free. First-come-first served seating.
Go to http://www.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2009/filmguide/Title/FF and click on "From Street to Streams" for more information, or just show up on the 28th.

"¡Thinking Grande!" a documentary film about one man's efforts to build a Mexican Disneyland in the heart of California, will be broadcast on KVPT Public Television in Fresno on Monday, June 22 at 7 pm. More. In connection with the film, a Mexican fiesta will take place on the grounds of the place featured in the film on Sunday, June 14, from 2 to 7 pm. Asi Es Mi Tierra - Rancho Bonilla, Highway 166, New Cuyama. More.

"Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics on Trial," a short film about the U.S. Supreme Court and gay rights, will premiere at the Castro Theater in San Francisco at 3:30 pm on Sunday, June 21. More.

"Broadway: Around the World in 30 Blocks," a radio series about the cultures and cuisines along Sacramento's most delicious street. The series airs on Capital Public Radio on the second Friday of each month through November 2009 during "Morning Edition." Learn more about the project and listen to the first segment.

Los Angeles
"Las Grandes de East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights," a film about five little-known women leaders and how they have contributed to the area. 6-7:30 pm, Thursday, June 4. CASA 0101, 2009 East First Street. More.

Montclair
"Discovering Montclair Family Stories," an exhibit of photographs, drawings and excerpts of oral interviews created by Montclair-area students about the area's history. Thursday, June 4 through Tuesday, June 30. City of Montclair Civic Center, 5111 Benito Street. More.

San Francisco
"Polk Street Stories Listening Party: Empresses, Masquerades, Punk Priests and Street Sweeps," a presentation of audio stories from 15 people who find their dreams and nightmares on San Francisco's Polk Street. 6:30 -7:30 pm, Thursday, June 18. 1217 Polk Street, between Bush and Sutter streets. More.

"Polk Street: Lives in Transition," an exhibit of photographs and audio on the changing face of Polk Street. Opening reception: Thursday, June 25, 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Continues through the end of July. Good Vibrations Polk Street Gallery, 1620 Polk Street, at Sacramento. More.

"Young Pin@y SOMA Voices Reading & Film," an evening of presentations by Pilipino youths engaged in a multidisciplinary storytelling project. 4-6 pm, Saturday, June 6. San Francisco Public Library. 100 Larkin Street. More. 

Of interest:

Save the Date: California history will again come alive at the Fourth Annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar on Saturday, October 17, from 10 am to 5 pm. More.

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(c) 2009 The California Council for the Humanities